Obesity may be a major cause of back pain
and even worse problems.
If you look at your back in a mirror, you can see your vertebrae, which are the bones in your spine. What you can't see are your discs, which are soft cushions between these bones. Discs that break down can lead to pain and disability.
A new study finds that being overweight may make you more likely to have disc breakdown. Researchers brought in nearly 2,600 adults and used an MRI device to take pictures of everyone's lower back to see their spine. Those who were overweight or obese were more likely to have disc breakdown than people with a normal body mass index. Also, the higher the BMI the more damage.
The researchers had several possible explanations for this connection. Carrying around more weight can put more strain on the discs. Also, body fat can create chronic inflammation, which could play a role in the breakdown.
Regular exercise is a great way to help you keep a healthy weight. If you already have back problems, talk to your doctor about how you can stay physically active.
I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the news that doctors are reading;
If you look at your back in a mirror, you can see your vertebrae, which are the bones in your spine. What you can't see are your discs, which are soft cushions between these bones. Discs that break down can lead to pain and disability.
A new study finds that being overweight may make you more likely to have disc breakdown. Researchers brought in nearly 2,600 adults and used an MRI device to take pictures of everyone's lower back to see their spine. Those who were overweight or obese were more likely to have disc breakdown than people with a normal body mass index. Also, the higher the BMI the more damage.
The researchers had several possible explanations for this connection. Carrying around more weight can put more strain on the discs. Also, body fat can create chronic inflammation, which could play a role in the breakdown.
Regular exercise is a great way to help you keep a healthy weight. If you already have back problems, talk to your doctor about how you can stay physically active.
I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the news that doctors are reading;
No comments:
Post a Comment